Impeller for centrifugal compressors and pumps.



R. H. RICE.

IMPELLER FOR CBNTRIFUGAL OOMPRESSORS AND PUMPS.

APPLICATION FILED JAN.28, 1914.

Patented Sept. 29. 1914.

II I

UNITED STATES PATENT OFl ICE.

RICHARD H. RICE, O}? LYNN, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR TO GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY, .A. CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

IMPELLER FOR CENTRIFUGAL GOMPRESSORS AND PUMPS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Sept. 29, 1914.

Application filed January 28, 1914. Serial No. 815,062.

To all whom it may concern:

lie it known that I, Riel-mm) H. RICE, a citizen of the United States, residing at Lynn, county of Essex, State of Massachusetts, have invented certain new and 1156-.

ful Improvements in Impellers for Centrifugal Compressors and Pumps, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to impellers for centrifugal compressors and pumps, and particularly to the manner of constructing the same.

As ordinarily constructed, the main body of the impeller is; cast in one piece and is provided with a central hub containing an opening through which the driving opening to strengthen the parts. With impellers of this type, however, and particularly those designed to handle a large vol ume of fluid at relatively low pressure, this hub, even when reduced to a minimum size, introduces a serious limitation in the design.

The object of the present invention is to construct an impeller which will be sufliciently strong and rigid to withstand the stresses to which it is subjected, but which at the same time avoids the use of both the shaft opening and the hub as is found in the ordinary impeller. To this end. I cast my impeller in two parts, the line of division being in the central vertical plane of the web, and integral with each of these parts and projecting therefrom I cast a shaft section. In other words, the shaft is solid, is much more he le to have gas pockets and shrink holes, and to be of uncertain strength. By casting the integral shaft and impeller intwo parts I am enabled to form each ofthe two castings in the nowel of the mold thereby avoiding the disadvantages just noted. 3 manner the impeller, when assembled, will be much less liable to lack balance than would otherwise be the case, and as will be readily appreciated a good balance is of prime importance.

Referring to the drawing wherein I have illustrated an embodiment of my invention, Figure 1 is a sectional view of a compressor having my improved form of impeller, and Fig. 2 is a side view of the impeller.

The casing 3 provided with the inlet conduit 4: and the scroll pipe 5 into which. the impeller delivers fluid, the scroll pipe communicating at one end with a suitable discharge conduit (not'shown). The inlet conduit supplies fluid to the vanes on each side of the impeller through the openings 6, the walls of the latter serving to properly direct thefluid into the impeller.

The impeller is cast in two arts 7 and 8, the line of division being preferably on the central-vertical plane of the web, and cast integral with each part are the shaft sections 9 and 10.- That is to say, the shaft as a whole is cast integral-with the impeller, the same being 'cast in two parts. The castings will preferably be formed of steel and on one, as 7, is the projection or tongue 11 which cooperates with the recess or socket 12 to hold the two parts in alinement. This tongue and socket are slightly dovetailed asshown, and are preferably shrink fitted. The two castings are firmly fastened together by suitable screw bolts or rivets as shown at 13, and after being assembled the impeller is balanced by the threaded openings and balancing plugs as shown at 14L Where the shaft merges into the web of the impeller, the casting is thickened -to form a curved surface for directing the fluid to the vanes.

At 16 is shown the impeller blades which may be of any approved design, and which are preferably cast integral with the impeller and the annular rings 17. The shaft of the impeller is mounted in suitable bear-' ings 18 and may be direct driven or otherwise.

in accordance with the provisions of the patent statutes, I have described the princi ,ple of operation of my invention, together y forming the casting in this with the apparatus which I now consider to represent the best embodiment thereof; but I desire to have it understood that the appaatus shown is only illustrative, and that the invention can be carried out by other means.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is:-

1. In a device of the class described, a

rotor comprising a shaft and a Web portion, said sl. and Web portion being cast in two parts, the line of division being in a plane at substantially right angles to the axial line of the shaft.

2. In a device of the character described, a rotor cast in tWo sections, each section comprising a Web portion and a shaft portion extending'at right angles to the plane of the Web portion, and means for fastening the two sections together.

3. In a device of the class described, an impeller and a shaft cast integral therewith, said impeller and shaft being cast in two parts, the line of division being substantially on the central vertical the web or" the impeller.

l. in a device of the class described, a rotor cast in two sections, each. section comprising a web portion, a shaft portion merging into the Web portion and gradually thickened at the point of juncture to present a curved surface for directing the fluid, vanes cast integral. with the Web section, and means for fastening the sections together.

5. In a device or the class described, an impeller which is cast in two parts, each part having a shaft cast integral with it, there being a socket in one of the parts of the impeller and a projection on the other which is snugly fitted into the socket, and means that extend through the web of the impeller for uniting the parts.

In Witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this 22nd day of January, 1914.

RICHARD H. RICE.

plane through Nituesses Nansen A. HALL, Jenn A. McMAnUs, Jr. 

